Agriculture implement frame and cart

ABSTRACT

A utility cart and a folding stacking frame for mounting agriculture implements is disclosed. The folding stacking frame includes wings that extend to a working position transverse to the direction of travel of the utility cart to extend across numerous rows of crops. The frame permits the wings to be folded forward so that they are generally parallel with the direction of travel, and then stacked above the utility cart in a transportation position. The wings can be provided with self-tucking wheels that provide support for the wings when in the working position, and which tuck to a collapsed position when the wings are folded to the transportation position. The utility cart can ride on tracks which closely follow the contours of the ground. The track construction utilizes idler wheels mounted on tandem arms to support the track. The idler wheels pivot independently from each other, and allow the track to twist and bend to match the contours of the ground.

BACKGROUND

[0001] This disclosure relates to an improve agriculture implement frameand cart. In particular, an improved foldable and stackable frame forsupporting planters, sprayers, or similar devices is disclosed. A noveltrack design that is well-suited for transporting the foldable-stackableframe is also disclosed. A new and improved design for folding wheelsthat are used to support the free ends of the frame is also disclosed.

[0002] Foldable frames that are used to support agricultural tools, suchas planters, sprayers, or similar tools are well-known and widely used.Typically, the frames are attached to the rear of a tractor, utilitycart or similar transportation vehicle. The frames have long booms, orwings, that can be adjusted into an extended working position that isgenerally transverse to the direction of travel of the tractor. Theextended wings are too wide to permit convenient transportation whenmoving from field to field, or from storage to the field. Therefore,typically, the wings will adjust into a transport position. In the past,this has generally been accomplished by either folding the wings forwardalong the sides of the transportation vehicle, or by stacking the wingsat the rear of the transportation vehicle. Folding the wings forwardalong the side of the transportation vehicle still leaves the overallwidth wider than the transportation vehicle, because the tools are stilllocated outside the wheelbase of the transportation vehicle. Stackingthe wings may adversely affect the handling characteristics of thetransportation vehicle. The present invention relates to a unique designthat permits the wings to be folded forward, and then stacked, so as tomake the overall width narrower than if the wings were simply foldedforward. Also, the handling characteristics of the transportationvehicle are improved over what they would be if the wings were merelystacked. Furthermore, the arrangement of the wings in the transportposition leaves an unusually large space in the center of thetransportation vehicle for storage of such things as a fertilizer tank,extra seed, or similar items.

[0003] The wings may be mounted on a utility cart that can be pulledbehind a tractor or other pulling device. These utility carts can takemany different forms. Most commonly they have a frame on which the wingscan be mounted, and wheels that engage the ground. It is also known tosubstitute tracks or belts for the wheels. One difficulty with thesetracks or belts is that the front and rear of the tracks or belts tendto stay in angular alignment with each other in terms of both pitch androll, which prevents the tracks from closely following the contours ofthe ground. The present invention utilizes idler wheels mounted ontandem arms to support the track. The idler wheels pivot independentlyfrom each other, and allow the track to twist and bend to match thecontours of the ground.

[0004] The handling characteristics of the utility cart and tractorcombination can be improved if the weight distribution between the cartand the tractor is adjustable. The utility cart of the present inventionmay include adjustable hitch plates that allow the weight distributionto be varied.

[0005] It is common to provide the booms or wings with support wheelsnear the outboard end of the wings to provide support for the wings whenin use. This disclosure discusses a unique and improved design forfolding these wheels into a transport position.

SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of foldable wingsmounted on a utility cart according the present invention showing theright side wing folded out in working position, and the left side wingis folded in.

[0007]FIG. 1A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention that uses a two-section wing structure and includes foldablewheels on the outboard end of each wing.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the rear portion of the embodimentshown in FIG. 1, with the implements removed from the wings.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a partial top view close-up of the embodiment shown inFIG. 2.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a partial rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

[0011]FIG. 5 is a rear elevation showing a preferred embodiment of therear stack assembly in the stacked position.

[0012]FIG. 6 is a partial top view close-up of the front portion of theembodiment shown in FIG. 2, with both wings in the folded position.

[0013]FIG. 7 is a front elevation of front stacking assembly shown inFIG. 6.

[0014]FIG. 8 is a front elevation showing front stack assembly of FIG. 7in the stacked position.

[0015]FIG. 9 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A in a transportposition.

[0016]FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the frame and cart in the stackedtransport position.

[0017]FIG. 11 is a partial cut-away side elevation of the embodiment ofFIG. 10 adjusted to a lowered position.

[0018]FIG. 12 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 in astacked transport position.

[0019]FIG. 13 is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 12 in astacked transport position.

[0020]FIG. 14 is a partial top view of the right wing pivot and supportassembly of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 15 is a partial rear view of the wing pivot and supportassembly of FIG. 14.

[0022]FIG. 17A is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the wingwheel assembly in lowered position.

[0023]FIG. 17B is a side elevation of the wing wheel assembly of FIG.17A in tucked transport position.

[0024]FIG. 17C is a top view of the wing wheel assembly of FIG. 17A.

[0025]FIG. 17D is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of a wingwheel lift bracket.

[0026]FIG. 18 is a partial cut-away top view of preferred embodiment ofutility cart showing left side track assembly.

[0027]FIG. 19A is a partial top view showing left front cart and hitch.

[0028]FIG. 19B is a partial top view close-up showing details of FIG.19A.

[0029]FIG. 20 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a utility cart.

[0030]FIG. 21 is a rear elevation of an embodiment of a utility cart.

[0031]FIG. 22 is a side elevation of utility cart.

[0032]FIG. 23 is a top close up view of belt tension tube.

[0033]FIG. 24 is side view of a preferred embodiment of a lower tandemarm that accommodates both pitch and roll changes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Shown generally in the figures is an improved utility cart 200for use in association with an improved folding and stackingagricultural implement frame 300. The utility cart is suitable for beingpulled behind a tractor or other similar pulling vehicle. With respectto the figures, right and left designations refer to viewing the cart200 and implement frame 300 from the rear looking in the direction oftravel. The right and left side of this design are mirrored images ofeach other; therefore, the description will concentrate primarily on theright side.

[0035] The implement frame 300 is the type that has wings 25, 26 thatfold outward to extend transversely to the direction of travel of thetractor so that several rows of crops can be worked on with a singlepass. FIG. 1 shows a top view of the cart 200 and implement frame 300combination with a right wing 25 in working position and the left wing26 still in folded position. Implement frame 300 can have variousimplements attached for numerous uses such as fertilizer spraying,pesticide spraying, planting, and other uses. For these illustrations,planter units 202 are shown. The wings 25, 26 can be varied in length toaccommodate different row spacings and number of rows.

[0036] As best seen in FIG. 2, the wings 25, 26 comprise a wing tool bar204 and a wing support bar 206. The planter units 202, or otherimplements, attach to the wing tool bar 204. According the embodimentshown in FIG. 2, a rear tool bar 78 is attached to the rear of the cart200 to permit attachment of implements. When in full working position,both wings 25, 26 are folded out or back perpendicular to the main liftarms 56, 57 and in line or parallel to plane of the rear tool bar 78.Alternatively, the rear tool bar 78 may be eliminated, and the left andright wings 25, 26 can be extended inboard. (FIG. 1A). In plantingposition, wing lock arms 29, 30 are unfolded and held in a straight orslightly overcentered position by the wing lock arm hydraulic cylinder28. Front wing lock arm 30 is attached to a ball swivel in a plate 33extending from front wing hold assembly 51. Ball swivel and plate 33 arealmost directly in a direct line with the pin 19 in the wing pivotassembly 90. This allows the entire wing 25 to go up and down followingthe terrain without binding.

[0037] The raised/lowered position is controlled by two hydrauliccylinders 67, 68 which extend and raise main lift arms 56, 57. (FIG.13). The right 67 and left 68 main lift cylinders are attached to mainframe rails 60, 61 by plates of steel 60, 70 on each side of thecylinder with pin 71 placed in holes in plates 60, 70 and through roundsleeve on butt of cylinder forming a pivot. Ram of cylinders 67, 68attach to a pivot plate 81, FIGS. 10 & 11, which is optional and couldbe attached directly to main lift arms 56, 57. But pivot plate 81 actsas a manual extra flex in uneven terrain. Raising and lowering can beaccomplished by placing a lift wheel behind rear main support frame 1and/or rear tool bar 78 in many different configurations.

[0038] Wheel lift assemblies 400 (shown in FIG. 1A and further detailedin FIG. 17) are placed on the outboard end of wings 25, 26. Placing ofassembly or type of assembly can vary. The wheel assembly (FIG. 17)preferably raises and lowers simultaneously with main frame. These wheellift assemblies are described in greater detail below.

[0039] To get to transport position, wings 25, 26 are folded in. Theleft side is shown in folded position in FIG. 2. Hydraulic wing foldcylinder 23 FIG. 14, is retracted, wing 25 is pivoted on pin 17 of wingpivot assembly 90. Pin 17 also extends through wing pivot supportassembly 22 to form a pivot. Part of wing pivot assembly 90 is wing flexsleeve 21. Pin 19 extends through sleeve 20 and through wing flex sleeve21 and through round sleeve 39 in wing 25 (FIG. 15). This allows wing topivot up and down to follow contours of land or whatever applicationrequires. Before hydraulic wing fold cylinder 23 can retract, the winglock arm hydraulic cylinder 28 has to retract and begin folding the lockarms 29, 30 inboard. Hinge 31 allows lock arm 29, 30 to pivot in ahorizontal plane with wing 25 (FIG. 2).

[0040] The wing fold cylinder 23 attaches to a plate extending out fromwing pivot assembly 90 (FIG. 14). The cleaves end of the butt of thecylinder attaches to a welded ball swivel 82 in the plate. This allowsfor the wing to flex up and down. The ram end of the cylinder attachesto a ball swivel in flex arm 24 which pivots on a pin 84 which isbetween two plates of steel with holes forming hinge. This also allowsfor wing flex without the cylinder extending or retracting during fieldoperations, which is optional in the design.

[0041] When cylinder 23 is fully retracted, the wing frame 25 is overand up to notch in front wing hold assembly 51. This can have manydifferent designs to hold wings to the assembly 51 but had to be able tolift the wing 25 in an arcing vertical movement. (FIGS. 6, 7, 12).

[0042] When wing 25 is on the front wing hold assembly 51 the wing lockarms 29, 30 are fully inverted by the wing lock hydraulic cylinder 28 sothey are parallel or close to parallel to the wing 25. Then the stackinghydraulic cylinders 15, 50 can be extended simultaneously usingrephasing cylinders or master slave cylinder. The butt end of cylinderhas a sleeve or cleaves so it may pivot as cylinder is actuated. It isheld by a pin 9, 53 which passes through a sleeve or holes in theinboard ends of the rear and front bottom stacking arm 4, 75 and alsothrough holes or bushings in the steel plates that form rear and frontmain support frames 1, 2. The cylinder ram pivot 87, 88 is at the end ofthe ram of the stacking cylinders 15, 50. It can be a sleeve or cleaveswhich is held by a pin 38, 54 which passes through welded sleeves 36, 37and 44, 45 which are attached by metal plates welded to the top of thestacking arm 3, 74 shown best in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7.

[0043] The top stack arms 3, 74 are attached by pin 10, 52 which extendsthrough sleeve or holes in the stack arms 3, 74 and through a hole orbushing in the upright plates of steel that form the main support frame1, 2.

[0044] The outboard ends of both the top and bottom stack arms, front74, 75 and rear 3, 4 have round sleeves 46, 47 and 48, 49 and 11, 13 and12, 14 or holes which pins 34, 35, 55, 89 extend through. In the front,stack arms 74, 75 pin 55, 89 also extend through holes or bushings inthe front wing hold assembly 51 FIGS. 6 & 7. The rear stack arms 3, 4are similar to the front. Pin 34, 35 extends through hole or bushings inthe wing support pivot assembly 22.

[0045] Both front and rear, top and bottom stack arms 3, 4 and 74, 75are similar in length and hole or bushings in main support frames 1, 2and front wing hold assembly 51 and wing pivot support assembly 22 arematched in these illustrations which keep the wing frame 25perpendicular to the main frame through the entire vertical arc of thestacking movement. By varying the length between the pivot points,frame, top stack and bottom stacking arms, the angle of the wing framecould be pitched up or down through the vertical arc of the stacking armand would accomplish the same basic principle.

[0046] When the stack cylinders 15, 50 are extending close to the top ofthe arc, they continue to pass top of center and over center (FIGS. 5,8, 9). Gravity helps to keep the wings 25, 26 in the transport positioneven though there is still pressure via trapped oil within the stackcylinder which will also hold wings 25, 26 in transport position (FIG.10).

[0047] Going over center is not totally necessary and in some uses otherframes may not be designed this way, which would increase the distancebetween the wings 25, 26 in transport position or to narrow main supportframe so that total transport width may be narrower.

[0048] Unstacking the wings 25, 26 is performed by applying pressure tothe hydraulic oil on the ram side of the stack cylinder 15, 50 so thatthey retract simultaneously until they are totally retracted and thestack arms 74, 75 and 3, 4 are horizontal (FIG. 4 & 7). The bottom stackarms 75, 4 rest on the retracted stack cylinder 15, 51 and also steelplate 72, 73 that extend out from the bottom of the main support frame1, 2 (FIG. 12, 13). Also, the tube that connects both sides of stackarms may be welded in a manner that they rest on the vertical platesthat form main support frame 1, 2, but in an area where they do notconflict with the stack cylinders 15, 51 in any of their range of arc.

[0049] The front wing hold assembly 51 must be slightly lower than theheight of the wing frame 25 at the point where they connect (FIG. 7).Now pressure can be applied to the hydraulic oil on the ram side of thewing fold cylinder 23 which extends it out and pushes the flex arm 24against the unfolding stop 27 which is made by welding steel plates tothe wing frame 25. As the wing fold cylinder 23 continues to extend, thewing 25 pivots on pin 17 in the welded sleeves 18 of the wing pivotassembly 90 (FIG. 15). The wing pivot assembly 90 is also connected bypin 17 to the wing pivot support assembly 22. The wing lock cylinder 28is also extending at the same time as wing fold cylinder 23. When thewing 25 is in the working position (FIG. 2) shown perpendicular to mainlift arm 56 the wing lock cylinder 28 is fully extended and front lockarm 30 and rear lock arm 29 at center lock arm hinge 32 are straight orslightly past center. The unfolding of the wings 25, 26 should beperformed with the planting units off the ground so not to create moreresistance.

[0050] The main frame has many parts. The base frame 60, 61 rest on theframe rails 65, 66 of the utility cart. As an alternative, these framerails 65, 66 may be mounted so that their tops are angled slightlyinwardly. The base frame members 60, 61 must be correspondingly angledin this instance, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. Angling the frame railsinward facilitates mounting the base frame 60, 61 because it will helpalign the frame rails with the base frame 60, 61 if they are slightlyoff alignment. The leading edges of the frame rails 65, 66 my be similarangled in order to help base frame 60, 61 align both side-to-side andfront-to-rear. When using a removable cart assembly (these drawings usea tracked cart for the carriage) the base frame 60, 61 and frame rails65, 66 could be combined for the purpose of a permanent carriage.

[0051] The base frame 60, 61 is attached to the front main support frame2 by pins 79, 92 which extend through plates of steel welded to thebottom of the main support frame. Pins 79, 92 extend through holes inplates of steel and then through a hole or sleeve in the base frame 60,61. This forms a pivot or hinge. (FIGS. 11, 12).

[0052] The front main support frame 2 is attached to the main lift arms56, 57 near the front of frame. These positions can be varied to meetdifferent lengths of wings or different carriage lengths or many otherneeds.

[0053] The rear main support frame 1 is mounted at the rear main liftarms 56, 57 FIGS. 10, 11. The main support frames 1, 2 must be parallel.Further, their vertical planes must be parallel [though not necessarilyperpendicular to main lift arms 56, 57 or base frame 60, 61] so thatfront 74, 75 and rear 3, 4 stacking arms in their arcing movement remainparallel.

[0054] The main lift arms 56, 57 and base frame 60, 61 can be designedin many different ways and the design shown in FIG. 11 is not the onlypertinent design. The main lift arm 56, 57 must be strong enough tocarry all the weight of the wing frames 25, 26 and attachments to thewings.

[0055] Behind the rear main support frame, this design uses an implementtube 78 for mounting units.

[0056] The base frame 60 rests on the cart frame 65 and is attached aspreviously described. Extending down parallel from base frame rail 60 isa plate of steel which extends down to the sleeve 91 (FIG. 13) on thebutt end of the main lift cylinder 67. Welded to this plate is anotherplate which is perpendicular to the first. Welded to this plate isanother plate perpendicular to the last that forms a “U” shape. Thisassembly forms a support for the main lift cylinder 67. Pin 71 extendsthrough holes or bushings 60, 70 in the steel plates and through thesleeve 91 on the butt end of the main lift cylinder 67. Pin 71 is at a90 degree angle to the base frame allowing the main lift cylinder topivot parallel to the base frame 60. On the extended plate that is 90degrees from the base frame rail, a horizontal plate should be welded ina manner that it rest and gain support from the rear main carriage axle58. Also sleeve 91 should be slightly oversized to allow for some sideto side sway. The above described supporting of the main lift armcylinders 67, 68 can be accomplished by other methods.

[0057] The wing wheel lift assembly illustrated in FIG. 17A-D is uniqueand is well suited for this tool bar design but is not the onlyacceptable method of raising and lowering the wing frame 25, 26.

[0058] The wing wheel lift assemblies for wings 25, 26 are identical, soonly one will be described here. The leading wheel 141 and the trailingwheel 142 both caster or swivel 360 degrees in either direction. Theleading and trailing wheels 141, 142 are illustrated using a standardfork type mounting 143, 144. A single offset arm and spindle castercould be used. The leading wheel 141 and fork 143 swivels on a verticalshaft 145 that extends through a round sleeve 147 which is attached toan outboard bracket 151. The outboard and inboard brackets 151, 152 aremirror images and both are somewhat “U” shaped. This allows the leadingwheel hydraulic cylinder 154 space for it's movement. These brackets151, 152 are connected to upper and lower parallel link arms 149, 150 bypins 153A-D which extend through holes or round sleeves in the ends ofthe parallel link arms 149, 150 and through holes in the outboard andinboard brackets 151, 152. In these illustrations, the butt end of theleading wheel hydraulic cylinder 154 pivots on pin 153D and the ram endpivots on pin 153B. The end of the cylinder could be attached and pivoton separate pins and still conform to this design. This type design usesparallel link arms to keep the caster wheel at a constant vertical anglewhich is not unique. What is unique is that the inboard bracket 152 alsopivots or swings in and out perpendicular to the frame on pin 153D.(This pivot could be placed in a different pin or sleeve but stillconform to this design.) (FIGS. 17A & B)

[0059] Pin 153D extends through holes in plates of steel which arevertical and are outside of upper and lower parallel link arms 149, 150and are spaced far enough apart and in front of wing frame 25, 26 thatit can pivot or swing inward in an arcing movement perpendicular to thewing frame 25, 26. These plates of steel are part of the wing wheel liftbracket 163 (FIG. 17D).

[0060] The bottom of the inboard bracket 152 is attached by pin 162 tobracket 167 which is attached to the back or inboard side of inboardbracket 152 by pin 162 which extends through a hole in wheel tuckinglink arm 165 forming a pivot. The other end of the wheel tucking linkarm 165 is attached to the wheel tucking lever 164 by pin 160 whichextends through holes in both 164, 165 which also forms a pivot. (FIG.17C).

[0061] The wheel tucking lever 164 is attached to the wing wheel liftbracket 163 by pin 161 which extends through brackets 168A & B that areattached to wing wheel lift bracket 163 and through a hole at the bottomof the wheel tucking lever 164 forming a pivot. At the top of the wheeltucking lever 164 is another hole where the butt end of the trailingwheel hydraulic cylinder 156 is attached by pin 159. The ram end of thetrailing wheel hydraulic cylinder 156 is attached to a plate or platesof steel extending vertically from the trailing wheel arm 155 by pin 158which extends through holes in the plates of steel and through the yokeor sleeve 170 at the end of the ram. (FIGS. 17A-C)

[0062] The inboard bottom end of the trailing wheel arm 155 is attachedby and pivots on pin 157 which extends through holes in the outboardends of the wing wheel lift bracket 163 and in a round sleeve 169attached to trailing wheel arm 155. This allows the trailing wheel arm155 a vertical arc perpendicular to the wing frame 25, 26.

[0063] At the outboard end of the trailing wheel arm 155 is a roundsleeve 148 which is attached in a way that the vertical caster shaft 146extends through the round sleeve 148 and is for the most part straightup and down when the wing 25, 26 is in the up working position. Like theleading caster wheel 141 the trailing wheel 142 can swivel 360 degreesin either direction.

[0064] The leading and trailing wheel 141, 142 run in the same path in astraight route of travel reducing the total width of wheel tracks andalso reduces the amount of drag caused by wheels running in loose soil.

[0065] The hydraulic cylinders leading 154 and trailing 156 receivehydraulic oil from the ram side of the right or left main lift cylinder67, 68. This hydraulic oil is trapped and flows in and out of the buttends of the leading 154 and trailing 156 hydraulic cylinders. In theseillustrations, the bore and stroke of the hydraulic cylinder 154, 156are different sizes, but the volume of hydraulic oil it takes to movethe leading and trailing wheels 141, 142 is the same. In the workingpositions up or down on level ground the rams of neither the leading ortrailing hydraulic cylinders 154, 156 are fully retracted or extended.This allows for movement of the wheels up and down so to traverse unevenground keeping the wing frame 25, 26 from being jarred or bounced overbumps. When the leading wheel 141 rolls over a rock or bump, hydraulicoil is displaced from the leading hydraulic cylinder 154 to the butt endof the trailing hydraulic cylinder 156 and it moves down the same amountthat the leading wheel 141 moves up. It works a similar way when thelead wheel 141 passes through a hole or dip because this puts morepressure on the trailing wheel, it pushes the ram in and displaces oilfrom the butt of the trailing hydraulic cylinder 156 to the leadingwheel hydraulic cylinder 154 because of the reduced pressure in thehydraulic cylinder 154. All this creates a hydraulic walking tandem typesituation.

[0066] The unique operation of this wing wheel lift assembly is thewheel tucking for transportation in the stacked position (FIGS. 9 &17D). In the working position (FIGS. 17A & B) the wheel tucking lever164 is held against the stop adjustment bolt 166 by the pressure of thetrailing wheel arm 155. This pressure, caused by leverage, holds theinboard bracket 152 of the leading wheel assembly in a vertical positionby pressure transfer from the wheel tucking lever 164 to the wheeltucking link arm 165.

[0067] When the wing frames 25, 26 are being stacked, the pressure istaken off the wheels as the wing frame rises. The trailing wheel armswings down and in pulling the wheel tucking arm 164 back. At the sametime this pulls the inboard bracket 152 back and up. This causes thelead caster wheel 141 to be tucked under the wing frame 25, 26 (FIG.17D). This may also create a suction effect by further pulling theleading wheel hydraulic cylinder 154 in because the weight of thetrailing wheel will pull the ram of the trailing wheel hydrauliccylinder 156 out, creating a need for additional hydraulic oil in thebutt side of the hydraulic cylinder which should suck the oil out of thebutt end of the leading wheel hydraulic cylinder 154.

[0068] In unstacking, the trailing wheel 142 makes contact with theground first. As the wing frame 25, 26 gets closer to the ground thetrailing wheel arm 155 pushes the ram of the trailing wheel hydrauliccylinder 156 in, displacing oil to the leading wheel hydraulic cylinder(154 also pushing the wheel tucking lever 164 inward towards the stopbolt 166. This through the wheel tucking link arm 165 pushes the inboardbracket 152 of the leading wheel assembly down and forward back to thevertical position.

[0069] This frame design is not limited to a utility cart, more so atracked or belted cart, though due to the ability of the tracked vehicleto carry large loads, a tracked utility cart was used in all of thedrawings. In FIG. 18 a plain top view of the cart shows the left side(as determined by viewing from the rear looking in the direction oftravel) with the belts cut out so that the front 122A & B, rear 123A & Band idler 124A-H wheels can be shown. The right side is a mirror imageof the left. Also shown are the front hubs 101A & B, rear hubs 103A & Band idler hubs 102 A-H. The hubs run on shafts that have spindlesmachined on both ends to form a short axle. FIG. 19 shows a close upview of the front axle spindle 112, which extends through holes or roundsleeve 116A in the top left tandem arm 120. This top tandem arm 120 isparallel with the cart frame 66 and pivots on pin 111, which extendsthrough a round sleeve 110 or holes. The rear of the front top tandemarm 120 extends down to another pivot formed by pin 129 and round sleeve115A. (FIG. 22). Pin 127A extends through holes in steel plates thatextend up from the left front lower tandem arm 118 and then throughround sleeve 115 in the bottom of the front top tandem arm.

[0070] A preferred design for the lower tandem arms 118, 119 is shown inFIG. 24. Each tandem arm includes an upper portion 208 that pivotallymounts to the top tandem arms. Attached below the upper portion 208 isan outer roll tube 210. An inner roll tube 212 slides into the outerroll tube 210, and is free to rotate within the outer tube 210. A firstaxle attachment member 214 is fixedly attached to one end of the innerroll tube 212, as by welding. A second axle attachment member 216 ispivotally attached to the opposite end of the inner roll tube 212, andheld in place by end cap 218, so that the first and second axleattachment members 214, 216 can pivot with respect to each other aboutthe axis of the inner roll tube. Idler hub spindle axles 113A & B areattached to the first and second axle attachment members.

[0071] An alternative design for the tandem arms 118, 119, which doesnot allow for roll along a longitudinal axis is also possible. Accordingto this simpler design, at each end of the front lower tandem arm 118are holes or round sleeves (117A & B which the idler hub spindle axles113A & B extend through. The rear lower tandem arm 119 is identical tothe front lower tandem arm 118 using round sleeves 117C & D and idlerhub spindle axles 113C & D.

[0072] The left rear top tandem arm 121 and rear lower tandem arm 119are connected at pivot formed by pin 129B and round sleeve 115B. Theleft rear top tandem arm 121 also like the front top tandem arm 120pivots on pin 132 which extends through round sleeve 137. At theopposite end from round sleeve 115B in the left rear top tandem arm isround sleeve 116B which the left rear hub spindle axle extends through.All of the before mentioned pivots follow the arms to move in the samevertical plane (FIGS. 20 & 21) which runs parallel to cart frame 66.This allows for the inner sides of the pairs of wheels front 122A & B,rear 123A & B, idlers 124A & B, 124C & D, 124E & F, 124G & H to formguides for the guide blocks 139A-D (FIGS. 20 & 21) which are aligneddown the center and all the way around the inside of the belts which issomewhat standard on belts.

[0073] Because of the multiple pivot in the vertical plane the pairs ofwheels can move up and down traversing the ground with more equal weightdistribution and still guide the belts.

[0074] The top tandem arms 120, 121 are connected to the main cart pivotaxles, front 59 and rear 58 by pins 111 and 132. Both pins are held inround sleeves, front 109 and rear 131. A bolt or pin may be placed in ahole drilled through the pin and sleeve or pin 111 and pin 132 may bedirectly fastened to the main cart pivot axles 58, 59. FIG. 23 shows topview, FIGS. 20 and 21 show front and back elevation.

[0075] The cart frame rails 65, 66 can be attached in many differentways such as bolt or welded to main cart pivot axles 58, 59 or boltedindirectly so to use load cells for a weigh scale. The method that willbe described and illustrated uses additional pivots to allow forsmoother load transporting in uneven terrain. Also this design allowsthe same weight to be transferred to or from the draw bar of the vehiclepulling it by moving the front frame pivot assemblies 127, 128 forwardor backward on the adjustable hitch load plates 125, 126.

[0076] The adjustable hitch load plates 125, 126 have holes drilled inthem so to allow the front frame pivot assembly 127, 128 to be bolted inincremental positions but staying perpendicular to main cart frame rail65, 66. (FIGS. 19 & 20) The front frame pivot assemblies 127, 128 areconnected to the front load pivot assembly 96 by pin 106, 107 forming apivot in round sleeve in the front frame pivot assemblies 127, 128.These round sleeves are perpendicular to the main cart frame rails 65,66. The pins 106, 107 also extend through round sleeves 104, 105 whichmay be drilled and bolted securing the pins 106, 107. It would possibleto substitute a single long rod for pins 106 and 107. The pins 106, 107may be fastened directly to the front load pivot assembly 96 (FIGS. 19 &20). The side elevation in FIG. 22 also shows all of this in a cut awayview.

[0077] The front load pivot assembly 96 can slide forward and backwardon the front slide pivot axle 95. In this design the pull is transferredfrom the hitch 62 to the front main pivot axle 59 to the front toptandem arm 120 to the front wheels 122A, B which pull the belts 63, 64and the rest of the cart rides on the belts 63, 64. This helps the beltsto track or guide easier. This is not totally necessary and may bedesigned differently.

[0078] The front slide pivot axle 95 extends through a hole or roundsleeve 94 in the hitch cross member 100 and round sleeve 108 in thefront load pivot assembly 96 and into a hole or round sleeve 93 attachedto front main cart pivot axle 59. The front slide pivot axle 95 iscentered between and parallel to the main cart frame rails 65, 66 (FIG.19). This design permits the weight distribution to be adjusted betweenthe cart and the pulling vehicle. By adjusting the location of the frontframe pivot assemblies 127, 128 forward or rearward on the adjustablehitch load plates 125, 126, the distribution of the weight can beshifted forward or rearward. As an alternative, it would be possible toadd an additional cross member (not shown) to the hitch 62, similar tocross member 100, and mount the front slide pivot axle 95 between thetwo cross members instead of between cross member 100 and the front maincart pivot axle 59.

[0079] The hitch 62 (which can be varied in length) is attached to thefront main cart pivot axle 59 and extends forward. Illustrated in FIG.18 & 19 is the adjustable length hitch, where an outside hitch tube 97is incorporated in the design of the hitch 62 and internal hitch tube 98can be extended or retracted to different lengths.

[0080] The rear main cart pivot axle 58 can be attached in many ways tothe main cart frame rails 65, 66. If using a design similar to this andusing a front pivot, the main frame rails 65, 66 should be mounted in aridged way. Shown in FIG. 21 a frame cross member 133 helps support themain cart frame rails 65, 66.

[0081]FIG. 23 illustrates a necessity of design which is a belt tensionassembly. This may be designed in a different way and placed in adifferent position. It serves to keep tension on the belts and to keepthem guided between the wheels of the carriage. It should extend betweenthe front and rear main cart pivot axles 58, 59. This illustration anddesign shows arms (plates of steel) extending from a round tube, and pin132 extending through holes in the plate or round sleeve 140A & B. Thisassembly is the external belt tension tube 134. In the same manner, theinternal belt tension tube 135 is built and pivots in hole or roundsleeves on pin 111 which is attached to the front main cart pivot axle59. The arms of both the internal and external belt tension tubes 135,134 straddle the front and rear top tandem arms 120, 121. These tensiontubes 134, 135 do not have to straddle the top tandem arms 120, 121 andmay be placed on either side and may be pinned directly to the front andrear main cart pivot axles 58, 59.

[0082] When the belts are tensioned, a clamp 136 or some type of stopmust be placed on the section of internal tension tube 135 sticking outof or past the end of the external tension tube 134. These tubes must beable to rotate inside each other to allow for the uneven movement up anddown of the main cart pivot axles 58, 59.

[0083] This cart design could be built using only one top and bottomtandem arm or two top and one bottom tandem arms with a single axleattached at the bottom of the top tandem arm. This would allow for ashorter cart base. When using only one top and bottom tandem arm, onemain cart pivot axle would extend out and attach to a hub and spindlewhich would attach to both the inboard and outboard (front or back)wheels.

1. A track assembly for use in a utility cart, the track assemblycomprising: a top tandem arm for pivotal operable connection to a framesuch that said top tandem arm will pivot in a substantially verticalplane; a bottom tandem arm having a front portion, a rear portion, a topportion, and a bottom portion, said top portion of said bottom tandemarm being pivotally connected to said top tandem arm, a front tandem armidler wheel operably connected to said front portion of said bottomtandem arm; a rear tandem arm idler wheel operably connected to saidrear portion of said bottom tandem arm; and a belt in engagement withsaid tandem arm idler wheels.
 2. A utility cart for transportingagricultural implements, said cart comprising: a pair of elongated railssuitable for supporting agricultural implements, said rails beingsubstantially parallel to each other; a transverse rear axle rigidlymounted to said rails; a first rear top tandem arm and a second rear toptandem arm pivotally mounted at opposite ends of said rear axle suchthat said top rear tandem arms can pivot in a plane substantiallyparallel to said elongated rails, each of said tandem arms having afront portion and a rear portion; a first rear bottom tandem armpivotally mounted to said front portion of said first rear top tandemarm such that said first rear bottom tandem arm can pivot longitudinallywith respect to said first rear top tandem arm, said first rear bottomtandem arm having a front portion and a rear portion; a second rearbottom tandem arm pivotally mounted to said front portion of said secondrear top tandem arm such that said second rear bottom tandem arm canpivot longitudinally with respect to said second rear top tandem arm,said second rear bottom tandem arm having a front portion and a rearportion; rear tandem arm wheels attached to said front and rear portionsof said first and second rear bottom tandem arms; a first rear idlerwheel rotatably mounted to said rear portion of said first rear toptandem arm for rotation in a plane substantially parallel to said rails;a second rear idler wheel rotatably mounted to said rear portion of saidsecond rear top tandem arm for rotation in a plane substantiallyparallel to said rails; a hitching frame for connection to a towingvehicle, said hitching frame being pivotally connected to a frontportion of said elongated rails; a transverse front axle rigidly mountedto said hitching frame; a first front top tandem arm and a second fronttop tandem arm pivotally mounted at opposite ends of said front axlesuch that said top front tandem arms can pivot in a plane substantiallyparallel to said elongated rails, each of said front tandem arms havinga front portion and a rear portion; a first front bottom tandem armpivotally mounted to said rear portion of said first front top tandemarm such that said first front bottom tandem arm can pivotlongitudinally with respect to said first front top tandem arm, saidfirst front bottom tandem arm having a front portion and a rear portion;a first front idler wheel rotatably mounted to said front portion ofsaid first front top tandem arm for rotation in a plane substantiallyparallel to said rails; a second front idler wheel rotatably mounted tosaid front portion of said second front top tandem arm for rotation in aplane substantially parallel to said rails; front tandem arm wheelsattached to said front and rear portions of said first and second frontbottom tandem arms; a first tension bar of adjustable length spanningbetween said first front top tandem arm and said first rear top tandemarm; a second tension bar of adjustable length spanning between saidsecond front top tandem arm and said second rear top tandem arm; a firstcontinuous belt looped around said first front and first rear idlerwheels, said first continuous belt having a ground engaging surface forsupporting the weight of the utility cart and an interior surfaceengaging said front and rear tandem arm idler wheels; and a secondcontinuous belt looped around said second front and second rear idlerwheels, said second continuous belt having a ground engaging surface forsupporting the weight of the utility cart and an interior surfaceengaging said front and rear tandem arm idler wheels.
 3. An assembly foruse in a foldable stackable frame for mounting agricultural implements,the assembly comprising: a main frame for operable attachment to atransportation vehicle; a wing operably attached to said main frame,said wing adjustable between a working position wherein said wingextends transversely to a longitudinal axis of said transportationvehicle when said main frame is attached to said transportation vehicleand a folded position wherein said wing is generally parallel to saidlongitudinal axis of said transportation vehicle when said main frame isattached to said transportation vehicle, said wing being adapted to haveimplements attached; a stacking arm pivotally connected to said wing andsaid main frame, said stacking arm being adjustable between a loweredposition and a stacked position; and a stacking cylinder connectedbetween said main frame and said stacking arm to move said stacking armand wing into a transport position wherein said stacking arm is in saidstacked position and said wing is in said folded position.
 4. A foldablestackable frame for mounting agricultural implements, the foldablestackable frame comprising: a mounting frame having a forward end and arearward end; a lift frame having a front portion and a rear portion,said front portion of said lift frame being pivotally mounted proximateto said forward end of said mounting frame; a lift cylinder mountedbetween said mounting frame and said lift frame for raising and loweringsaid rear portion of said lift frame with respect to said rearward endof said mounting frame; a front support frame mounted to said frontportion of said lift frame; a rear support frame mounted to said rearportion of said lift frame; a rear stacking arm having a first end and asecond end, said first end of said rear stacking arm being pivotallymounted to said rear support frame for pivoting in a stacking plane; afront stacking arm having a first end and a second end, said first endof said front stacking arm being pivotally mounted to said front supportframe for pivoting in a plane parallel to said stacking plane; a frontstacking cylinder mounted operably connected between said front supportframe and said front stacking arm to control pivoting of said frontstacking arm in said stacking plane; a rear stacking cylinder mountedoperably connected between said rear support frame and said rearstacking arm to control pivoting of said rear stacking arm in saidstacking plane; an implement wing suitable for supporting implementsoperably connected to said rear stacking arm such that said implementwing is pivotal with respect to said rear stacking arm in a foldingplane that is generally perpendicular to said stacking plane, saidimplement wing being adjustable between a working position wherein saidimplement wing is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of saidmounting frame and a folded position wherein said implement wing isgenerally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said mounting frame; afold cylinder operably connected between said implement wing and saidrear stacking arm to control pivoting of said implement wing betweensaid working position and said folded position; and said stackingcylinders being able to move said implement wings into an elevatedtransport position wherein said implement wings are elevated above saidmounting frame while in said folded position.
 5. A self-tucking wheelapparatus for use with agricultural booms, the agricultural booms beingof the type adjustable between a working position and a folded transportposition, the wheel apparatus providing support for an outboard portionof the boom when the boom is in the working position, the wheelapparatus comprising: a main bracket for attachment to an agriculturalboom, said bracket having a leadward portion and a trailward portion; atrailward arm pivotally attached to said trailward portion of said mainbracket such that said trailward arm can pivot in a substantiallyvertical plane when said agricultural boom is in an extended workingposition; a trailward wheel operably connected to said trailward arm; aswing bracket pivotally attached to said leadward portion of said mainbracket; such that said swing bracket can pivot in a substantiallyvertical plane when said agricultural boom is in said extended workingposition; a leadward wheel operably connected to said swing bracket by aparallel linkage, said parallel linkage extending rearwardly from saidswing bracket; a wheel tucking lever pivotally attached to said mainbracket for pivotal movement in a substantially vertical plane; atrailward cylinder connected between said wheel tucking lever and saidtrailward arm for moving said trailward arm between an extended workingposition and a tucked transport position; a link between said wheeltucking lever and said swing bracket.